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Ouattara orders closure of Cote d'Ivoire's borders

Abidjan - Cote d'Ivoire's Alassane Ouattara on Thursday ordered the closure of all the country's borders until further notice.

A statement from the Interior Ministry said "all terrestrial, maritime and aerial borders have been closed until further notice".

A few hours before this order, Ouattara, had declared a three-day night curfew in Abidjan.

The armed forces loyal to Ouattara are on the door steps of Abidjan and they are preparing to launch the final offensive against the regime of incumbent Laurent Gbagbo.

Ouattara was declared as the winner of the 28 November presidential election by the country's electoral commission and was recognized as the president-elect by the international community.

Gbagbo, who was declared the winner by the Constitutional Council in rejection of the electoral commission, still contests Ouattara's victory and has refused to hand over power despite diplomatic efforts, as well as economic and financial sanctions. - BuaNews-Xinhua